I’ve always thought that putting on performances in the open air in England is a risky business, with many nights rained off or performances being disturbed by people putting on jumpers or cosying up into blankets as the chill night descended, but this year has been different – very different, with no rain and some of the hottest nights I’ve ever experienced. So on a steamy night in Banstead, the Old Joint Stock Theatre Company were gifted another fine evening to put on another performance during their summer tour of Sherlock Holmes And The Bitter of the Baskervilles.
This version of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous detective takes Holmes and Dr Watson into a world of mystery, suspicious characters, dastardly deeds and increasingly ridiculous situations. It is deliberately silly, occasionally gloriously daft and all the better for knowing exactly what sort of show it wants to be: a fast, funny and very theatrical romp rather than a dark and brooding investigation into the human condition. The production, with its combination of mystery, comedy and audience-friendly theatricality, feels particularly well suited to a summer’s evening in a pub garden.
The title, of course, gives a broad hint that this is not Sherlock Holmes: The Serious and Important Drama. There are nods to foggy London town (they even sing about it), plenty of detective-story clichés and enough twists and turns to keep the plot moving at a fair old lick, but Adam Meggido’s script is primarily interested in making people laugh – and laugh they do.
The production is carried by four hugely talented and likeable performers — Will Batty, Will Hamilton, Imogen Vickers and David Haller — who between them create a small army of characters. Quick costume changes, sudden transformations and some excellent comic characterisations mean that keeping track of who is playing whom becomes part of the fun. They not only take turns playing Holmes but they play various instruments too – is there anything they can’t do? They all exude enormous comic energy, throwing themselves into every role with admirable commitment and a real gift for finding the laugh. The four work superbly as an ensemble, and there is something particularly enjoyable about watching actors clearly having a good time without ever allowing that enjoyment to become self-indulgent.
Music is an important part of the evening and adds considerably to its character. Rather than simply providing a bit of background between scenes, the musical choices become part of the comedy and storytelling – this is in effect a jukebox musical featuring the likes of “Defying Gravity” from Wicked, Kate Bush’s “Running Up That Hill” and even some Taylor Swift for good measure and the collision between Victorian detective drama and recognisably modern songs produces some of the show’s biggest laughs.
There is audience interaction too, although thankfully it is used sparingly and effectively rather than becoming one of those evenings where you spend the entire time trying to make yourself invisible. The open-air setting inevitably brings its own atmosphere, but director Emily Susanne Lloyd embraces rather than fights it. The result is a production with a pleasingly relaxed confidence. It does not need elaborate scenery or theatrical bells and whistles because the energy comes from the performers themselves.
Not every joke lands — frankly, if it did, we would probably all need medical attention from laughing too much — but the hit rate is impressively high. More importantly, the production never takes itself remotely seriously. Could it have been a bit shorter – well, can’t most things these days and a little less amplification wouldn’t go amiss, but these are minor quibbles.
Sherlock Holmes and the Bitter of the Baskervilles is clever, silly, musical and thoroughly entertaining. It may not give you a definitive answer to the great mysteries of life, but it does provide something increasingly rare: two hours or so of uncomplicated fun in the company of four very talented performers.
Review by Alan Fitter
Follow the legendary detective as he unravels a thrilling case filled with twists, turns, and clever deductions—all set against the charming backdrop of an open-air stage. It’s the perfect blend of suspense and summer evening escapism, brought to you by a company renowned for their bold and engaging productions.
Turn your visit into a full evening experience with pre-theatre dining before the show. Settle in, enjoy a relaxed meal with friends and make the most of your evening from the moment you arrive, because a great mystery is even better with great food.
So gather your fellow sleuths, settle in with a drink in hand, and prepare for a night of outdoor theatre that will keep you guessing until the very end.
Old Joint Stock Touring Company presents
SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE BITTER OF THE BASKERVILLES
The Kingswood Arms, Banstead, 14 August 2026
Pub tour continues to 28 August 2026
